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Competition drives progress—up to a point. And, right now, the yoga business is at a tipping point that can either turn amazingly positive, or unfortunately sour. With over 20 million yoga practitioners in the US alone and another 46 million people interested in trying the practice, according to Yoga Alliance, it is time teachers and studio owners understand and embrace that competition is an unnecessary game.

Why Competition Isn’t Necessary In Yoga Business

For one, the demand is currently far surpassing the supply. Additionally, collaboration, not competition is what will help create a positive yoga movement that can truly impact the huge number of people seeking this practice.

Students may be initially looking to stretch their bodies, but they are more likely to connect and become devoted to the practice if they can experience the sweet taste of cooperative service. Why? Collaboration is a fundamental survival mechanism of the strong. Collaboration, not competition, instigates ideas and fast-forwards movement. Yogis have the opportunity to step into this game differently than people running other business sectors have. Yogis can co-create a business and a practice that truly reflects their teachings.

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Be an example of this, and remember that when the tide rises for one, it rises for everybody. Let’s all rise together. Learn how in the video.

3 Steps to Embrace Collaboration in the Yoga Community

In our interview with Yoga Alliance spokesperson Andrew Tanner, we discuss the origin of competition, how it poisons the yoga business, and three amazing steps you can take to reverse this paradigm in your own classes and studios. Let this interview make you think and grow in your practice and business. This is yoga.

ABOUT OUR EXPERTSJustin Michael Williams is a vibrant public speaker, musician, and successful yoga instructor who travels the globe training the conscious community to thrive in marketing, media, and business. He has spearheaded the marketing development and social media of over 150 brands, both large and small, including, Sianna Sherman, Ashley Turner, Noah Mazé, and more. He is also the Co-Founder of the Business of Yoga, LLC and hosts Yoga Business Retreats around the world, helping yoga teachers flourish in business. By using his expertise to coach individuals and nonprofits, Justin works to spread positivity and inspire change throughout the social web. See more at justinmichaelwilliams.com

Karen Mozes is a successful entrepreneur, executive and life coach, and leadership expert. She brings to the world of transformational coaching, writing and public speaking her many years of dedicated studies and application in the fields of science, eastern philosophy, teaching and yoga. With several years of work experience in the corporate world and then as a principal at a sustainability consulting firm, Karen is uniquely suited to coach in business management, communication techniques and team leadership. Karen has created and successfully applied her own coaching programs, the Cinco Method (for entrepreneurs) and Team Climate Change (for design teams) across a wide range of sectors and company sizes. Karen is also the co-founder of the Business of Yoga LLC and its popular program, the Yoga Business Retreat. For more, visit cincoconsultingsolutions.com